Colorado falls down the stretch

This one will sting.

Unabletogetthedefensive stops they needed down the stretch, the Colorado men’s basketball team dropped a 70-64 decision to San Diego at the University of San Diego’s Jenny Craig Pavilion.

It is the second straight year the Toreros have topped the Buffaloes, who used a big surge after halftime to take an eight-point lead but were unable to maintain the advantage down the stretch.

Five straight points from McKinley Wright on a 3point play followed by a pair of free throws gave the Buffs a 61-60 lead with 1 minute, 56 seconds left.

But San Diego scored the next six points, and after a Shane Gatling 3-pointer cut the deficit to two points with 22 seconds left, the Toreros went 4-for-4 at the free throw line in the final 20 seconds to ice the win.

The Buffs stormed out of the gate after halftime, taking a 45-37 lead with 12 consecutive points in a 15-3 run. At the other end of the floor, CU forced the Toreros into missing 11 of their first 12 shots after halftime.

But San Diego chipped away from there, eventually tying the game at 54-54 on a 3point play from Isaiah Pineiro.

San Diego’s Olin Carter torched the Buffs in the first half, connecting on 5 of 8 shots overall while going 4for-6 on 3-pointers.

The game was tied on six different occasions throughout the first half, but the Toreros scored the final five points of the frame to take a 35-30 lead at the break.

That burst began with a Namon Wright turnover that San Diego’s Yauhen Massalski turned into a 3-point play. The Toreros’ Pineiro converted a driving layup just before the buzzer to give San Diego the five-point halftime edge.

Evan Battey enjoyed a breakout game for the Buffs, finishing with a team-high 18 points and four rebounds. McKinley Wright recorded 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists but also posted five turnovers. The Buffs shot .421 overall but were outrebounded 41-35.

CU had no answer for Pineiro, who scored a gamehigh 27 points.

The Buffs (2-1) will return to Colorado, but will stay on the road for a Saturday afternoon contest at Air Force.